A federal appeals panel, responding to a challenge by Republican officials in North Dakota, struck down a key enforcement mechanism of the Voting Rights Act on May 14, 2025.
The ruling, affecting seven states, limits the Justice Department’s ability to challenge racially discriminatory voting practices under Section 5, which required federal approval for changes to voting laws in areas with histories of discrimination. The decision, reported by NPR, has raised alarms about voter suppression ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The panel, composed of judges appointed by Republican presidents, argued that the preclearance requirement was outdated, citing improved racial equity in voting access. North Dakota officials claimed the provision unfairly targeted conservative states. Supporters of the ruling, including Heritage Foundation scholars, assert it restores state sovereignty over elections, aligning with Trump’s deregulatory agenda.
Civil rights groups, including the NAACP, condemned the decision as a setback for democracy. They argue it weakens protections for Black, Hispanic, and Native American voters, who face barriers like restrictive ID laws and polling place closures. The Brennan Center for Justice estimates that 15 states have passed restrictive voting laws since 2020, with effects felt in 2024’s elections. Activists are urging Congress to restore the provision, though partisan gridlock makes this unlikely.
The ruling’s timing, amid debates over election integrity, has fueled public outcry. Posts on X reflect anger among progressive voters, with some calling for nationwide voting reforms. Conversely, conservative users celebrate the decision as a blow to federal overreach. The Supreme Court is expected to review the case, but its conservative majority may uphold the ruling, further reshaping electoral oversight.
This decision compounds earlier erosions of the Voting Rights Act, notably the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder case. As states gain more control over elections, the risk of disparate impacts grows, challenging the U.S.’s commitment to equal representation. Photo by Ron Reiring, Wikimedia commons.